Lethal Friends

War?!

I woke up expecting to feel the normal chill of wintertime, but instead felt an unexpected cool, yet warm breeze filtering through my open window.

Where was I again? Oh yeah my aunt and uncle's. Wait, it was Monday! That meant school, oh heck no! I didn't have any new clothes or school supplies, or even know my classes. I sat up hurriedly, changing my clothes as fast as I could, thinking I was late. I didn't even know when school started. I stopped, when I felt eyes on my back. Crap, the window's open, the curtains pulled back.

Logan.

Turning around, I found Logan looking at me cheekily. "Is someone enjoying the view?" I asked confidently even though I could feel the familiar feeling of a blush collecting behind my freckled cheeks. I tugged my Aztec patterned undershirt firmly over the rest of my body, sending a clear message. he wouldn't be getting any more shows.

"Oh yes, I even got a picture, like I suggested you do with me yesterday. What do you think about sharing this lovely thing with the rest of the world? How does f*******: sound to you?" He turned his phone towards me showing the picture. Not a very smart move on his part, as he put it a little too close to my window and I reached out and snatched it from his hand.

"Give that back," he said angrily. His eyebrows pulled together and immediately stuck out his hand expecting it back. Now it was my turn to smile cheekily back and I shook my head. No way in hell was I ever going to let this photo get out there on the internet for everyone to gawk at.

"Uh no, you'll get it back when the picture gets deleted," what was with me? Sure I was confident, but I didn't even know this guy. Like Adam said, he could be dangerous. I looked him up and down. His clothes looked wrinkled- he probably hadn't bothered to change from last night- and his eyes were slightly bloodshot- what had he been doing last night? I had seen him leave late last night right as I was going to bed at 11 pm. He even had a tattoo that just peeked out of his red v-neck shirt. How could he get that? He did look a little older but not much than me-16. Probably had a fake I.D.

It didn't matter to me though, whether he had tattoos or bloodshot eyes or whatever else. I wasn't his friend I didn't need to try admonish him for s**t like that. We didn't know each other, and I was definitely not planning on getting all buddy-buddy with him. I should just give the phone back to him, be done and ignore him. He still had his hand stretched out expectantly. But just as I moved really considering handing it back and staying out of his way from now on, Adam walked into my room.

"We need to go Lo-" He started but the rest of his sentence died in his throat as he saw Logan. Both of the boys' eyes turned murderous. I swear I could feel the hate bouncing off of each of them, and the temperature turned up at least three degrees. If there hadn't been a wide gap between the two windows, one of them would have definitely jumped the other, that much was obvious. Adam brushed past me and slammed my window shut, as I sneakily slipped Logan's phone into my jean's pockets. Good thing he didn't see that, he might just freak out even more. Adam roughly pulled the curtains together, but I could still see Logan retreating into his own home just as he disappeared from view.

"Never, talk to him again. I told you, London. You're my family, and I don't want him hurting you. He's done enough to this family. So please, I know what I'm talking about when I say you don't want to talk to him."

"But he-" I started.

Adam shook his head, "He'll do a lot of crap I promise you that. Just stay away. It's better for everyone if you don't engage, and ignore him as much as you can."

So much for attempting to explain my actions. He should be yelling at Logan to leave me alone, but it didn't look like the two we're going  to be talking anytime soon.

"We have to get to school in ten, I hope you're almost ready. And you don't have to worry about anything. My mom and Jordon took the liberty to buy all sorts of school stuff for you, mom even made you a lunch this morning. And Jordon will be showing you around school." I eyes his uniform confused, I hadn't thought our school had uniforms. He saw my gaze and explained, "I have a full scholarship to the Walagher's Academy so I don't go to your school."

I smiled and nodded, but stayed silent. At least I didn't have to over-think the horrible possibility of being ditched at school.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself being dropped off at the menacing, entrance of a massive, stone-built school who's sign read, 'The Private Prestigious Duchess Academy'. Even with Jordon beside me, I gulped nervous.

"Follow me, newbie," Jordon said with a reassuring smile. He lead me into the main foyer where a nice quiet looking receptionist listened to my situation, although I think she was already aware, and handed me a pamphlet with a guide to the school, a map even- how big was this place?- and a list of my classes. I had English with a Mr. Trill, then Photography- YES!- with a Miss Kelly, then lunch in the cafeteria way across on the opposite side of the school, great *eye roll*. Then Math with a Mrs. Jemia and finally Chemistry with Mr. Quint. This was going to be interesting.

Jordon looked over my shoulder as we walked, headed towards my locker which was right beside his, fortunately. "Hey, I have period 1 and 4 with you! Awesome! I promise to find you after second, just stay outside your class and I 'll show you to the cafeteria, okay?" he looked at me kindly.

"Okay, that sounds good to me," I answered. I looked around, suddenly feeling the many eyes glued to my back. Well, I guess I was officially on everyone's radar right now, as I was a new fresh face. I gave as many people I could a hard glare. No, you can't talk about me behind my back, newsflash. I prayed they would forget about me soon, if that was possible. I was not planning to stay low, maybe at first, but I couldn't stuff my character on the back burner, I was loud and sarcastic and soon that would show, but even then I didn't want people talking about me.

As I started to put my things in my locker, I heard someone come up beside Jordon and start talking- fast I might add.

"OhmigoshhaveyouseenthenewgirlshelooksamazingcanImeetheryet? CanIcanI,JordonPlease?" my eyes widened. If people had ever thought I was a handful...

"Geez, calm down, Kayla, she's right here meet her yourself," Jordon answered. I felt like deer in the headlights as she set her gaze on me. She had beautiful rich auburn hair, which fell in luscious curls, and a curvy stout body. I was instantly jealous.

"Hi, you look amazing! I'm Kayla, Jordon's bestie, don't listen to what he says, I am. I heard you moved here from Michigan? Why?" She asked. I liked her already, but Jordon tried to stop her as she started to ask questions.

"It's okay, Jordan. I wanted to use the opportunity I was offered, to you know live in California and to come to this school- it's very famous apparently, and great for getting into colleges," Please as if I ever cared about that.

The bell rung and she started to walk in the same direction as Jordon and I, never ceasing her endless chatter.

"Oh that's really cool, I mean I would probably take the opportunity, if I was given the chance. I haven't ever been given an opportunity, nothing like yours that is. Yours is really cool, I mean you get to meet me right. Haha just kidding although me and Jordon, and Ryan are pretty awesome. Have you met Ryan yet? You should, he's a gem that one, and something to laugh at too. You'll understand why when you talk to him,"

The only thing I could think of as i listened to her shpeel was how was she brething right now?

But all of a sudden she cut off my thoughts with a squeal.

"Oh my gosh, it's Logan!!! Isn't he totally so hot," she sighed, "I wish I had the courage to talk to him."

"Logan? Where? Hide me!" I cried grabbing Jordon's shirt, and cowered behind him, hoping not to be noticed. He would definitely try to get his phone back, but I wasn't going to budge. Unfortunately, me being me I had hit the lock button on his phone when I grabbed it so I couldn't delete the photo. So, now I had to try to find a way into the stupid mobile and take that awful photo off of it. What he didn't know is that it wasn't on me right now it was hidden away in my locker, and I was sure he didn't know where that was.

"Do you know him? Oh you lucky thing- can you introduce me?" Kayla asked.

"No, he wants to kill me, I'm sure of it. I stole his phone" I said finally locating him in the crowd, attempting to duck again and failing as he, unfortunately, saw me and made a beeline straight for us.

"Ahh he's coming this way!!" Kayla squealed excitedly clapping her hands once and then trying to smooth out her voluminous curls. Jordon turned around and let me know with a look that I could let go of his shirt that was scrunched up in my palms. 'Sorry' I mumbled and let go standing up straight to meet my enemy with confidence.

Logan was quick and after not two minutes he was right beside the three of us, but looking only and directly at me. I quivered where I stood, but tried to hide it. I started to notice his magnificent big brown eyes, but shut that thought down instantly. Keep your eyes on the prize, girl. He's not the prize!

"What do you want?" I asked trying to hid how nervous I felt. Kayla gasped at my words. What had no one stood up to him before?

His lip pulled back into a snarl. Apparently no one had, and he was used to getting his way. Well newsflash- that was going to change. "Give me my phone, London," he said my name with an angry growl making me irritated. How did he even know my name? I didn't remember telling him. I put it back into a mental filing cabinet, I would find out later.

"Nope, not until I can be sure that the picture of me gets deleted. And from the things I've heard about you, I can't trust you to do it." Oh he didn't like that. Not at all.

"You know what this means right?" He asked as his expression changed from angry to a masked cool and confident demeanor.

I was confused and even though I could see Jordon shaking his head frantically and flailing his arms back and forth from behind where Logan stood, I replied, "Uh no." Jordon smacked his palm to his forehead silently. What? What did I do?

"Because you stole my phone, and because of your stupid a*s of a cousin, Adam, you should know not to mess with me. You said you heard about me, then you know the way I work, and I don't like people saying no. So this. This means war." I must have appeared shocked because he smirked and spoke again, "Oh, honey, you have no idea what you're getting into. The winner chooses their prize. Best of luck." He pushed past me and into the English class behind me. I stood unmoving mouth open, not sure what had just happened.

"Oh darling, what have you done?" Kayla asked.

"What? What does it mean?" I asked frantically shaking Jordon's shoulders to get a response.

"It means, London, he's going to make your life a living hell,"

-----

It was lunch and I sat at a small table in the corner of the cafeteria with Jordon, Kayla, and their other friend Ryan who I had yet to meet. I hadn't been able to focus in either English or Photography, still thinking about what Logan could possibly be planning. He hadn't looked at me once after those first five minutes of this morning. I didn't know what to expect to come from this or what I had to do.

I sighed aloud, I hadn't been here for more than one day, and I had already gotten myself into a mess. Typical me.

"Hello, London, I'm Ryan," A guy introduced himself, sitting down beside me. He had shaggy blonde hair, an incredibly skinny frame and wore his shirt buttoned up as far as it would go. And I hate to say anything before knowing him but he seemed totally and completely-

"Ohhh number one hot guy alert," He breathed getting distracted staring at a guy behind me. I glanced back and there sat Logan oddly calm surrounded by a bunch of his wildly energetic friends. One of which was trying to convince him of something. He nodded staring directly at our table. A shiver made it way down my spine. I was facing ultimate and eminent death. What was I going to do?

"Hush, now, Ryan. That's London's arch-nemesis." Kayla insists. I scoff at my new friend. We have all the same classes, I found out, and she loves everything I do, even shares a marvel movie obsession with me. I knew since the first moment we would get along quite well. I was excited to hang out with her more often.

"Sorry about that Ryan's totally-"

"Gay," Jordon, Kayla and I all say together and burst out laughing. Ryan crosses his arms stubbornly.

"Is it really that noticeable?" He asks. I nod in between my bits of laughter.

"It is when you're checking out the 'badboy' of the school" Jordon says, backing me up. Ryan pouts.

"Well, none of the guys here are going for me, so I guess I'll have to move anyways, never-mind to get away from all of your teasing," he sniffs indigently. Kayla rolls her eyes fondly.

"Puh-lease. you're just whining, you love us too much to move away," Ryan said nothing and looked away, Kayla looked off-put.

"You don't love us?" Her bottom lip came out and her eyes filled with what I could tell was fake tears.

Ryan finally broke down and offered Kayla a hug, "Of course I love you guys. You too newbie."

I smile. I needed to hear that. I was happy I could find friends even on the first day of school.

Kayla reached out and stole one of Ryan's fry, making him cry out in indignation, "Hey that's mine. You know what I take back what I said, I don't love you guys." Kayla began to protest and complain, but I tuned them out as I saw Logan coming this way.

"Guys..." Jordon said gulping, and trying to hush Kayla and Ryan, neither listened. They continued to fight as the entire cafeteria's eyes were glued to the bad-boy's back as he reached our table. Obviously, he never talked to any others than those at his table and the odd girl he wanted to hook up with. I prayed people didn't think I was his next one night stand. Ryan and Kayla's voices died in their throats as they saw him. Ryan especially gawked.

"I don't think you know the rules, Newbie," he said spreading his hand flat out on to the table-top and leaning over a little. "So, I'm going to be gracious to you an explain. Meet me this Thursday at Peace Park by the statue of George Bush, and don't be late. I'm being extremely nice here so don't make me regret it." He winked as he turned back around not letting me give an answer.

"OHHHHHH, someone's going to be in a lot of trouble, or in a happy love bubble," Kayla cried excitedly as the cafeteria returned to it's normal volume.

I scoffed nearly choking on the burger I was trying to eat. "You think that was flirting, Kayla he declared war on me not three hours ago. Or have you forgotten?"

"Well, why else would he talk to you like that and invite you anywhere?"

"I don't know him and he doesn't know me. You can't like someone you don't even know."

"I guess you're going to have to find out Thursday then," Jordon said shrugging.

If I lived to Thursday. Who knows what this war could bring until then.